If you’re a smoker considering making the switch to electronic cigarettes, you’re likely wondering about potential benefits to your hygiene. The effects of e-cigs on your teeth may be of particular concern to you.
The detrimental impact on teeth of smoking conventional tobacco cigarettes is well known. Smokers’ teeth can become stained and yellow. This discoloration is caused by the smoke itself. The numerous chemicals in tobacco smoke, which include ammonia and carbon monoxide, leave behind a residue called tar. This isn’t the same tar used in roads and other pavement, but rather a type of resin that sticks to and stains the teeth. Electronic cigarettes, which work through vaporization, don’t produce smoke. The vapor you inhale doesn’t contain tar. When you take a drag off of an e-cig, you’re not inhaling anything that could stain your teeth, so there’s no need to worry about yellowing.
A second, less immediately noticeable effect of cigarette smoking is dry mouth. This dryness is caused by nicotine, among other chemicals. As most (though not all) e-cigs contain nicotine, you might be concerned about this effect carrying over from tobacco cigarettes, but the reality isn’t so distressing. Because nicotine isn’t the only chemical in tobacco smoke that causes dry mouth, the effect is lessened in electronic cigarettes. As a result, e-cigs are generally thought to cause oral dryness on a level equivalent with nicotine replacement therapies, such as nicotine gum, and to a significantly lesser extent than tobacco cigarettes.
With proper conventional oral care, electronic cigarette users can smile knowing that vaporization is the smart choice.
Do E-cigs Harm Your Teeth Like Regular Cigarettes?
If you’re a smoker considering making the switch to electronic cigarettes, you’re likely wondering about potential benefits to your hygiene. The effects of e-cigs on your teeth may be of particular concern to you.
The detrimental impact on teeth of smoking conventional tobacco cigarettes is well known. Smokers’ teeth can become stained and yellow. This discoloration is caused by the smoke itself. The numerous chemicals in tobacco smoke, which include ammonia and carbon monoxide, leave behind a residue called tar. This isn’t the same tar used in roads and other pavement, but rather a type of resin that sticks to and stains the teeth. Electronic cigarettes, which work through vaporization, don’t produce smoke. The vapor you inhale doesn’t contain tar. When you take a drag off of an e-cig, you’re not inhaling anything that could stain your teeth, so there’s no need to worry about yellowing.
A second, less immediately noticeable effect of cigarette smoking is dry mouth. This dryness is caused by nicotine, among other chemicals. As most (though not all) e-cigs contain nicotine, you might be concerned about this effect carrying over from tobacco cigarettes, but the reality isn’t so distressing. Because nicotine isn’t the only chemical in tobacco smoke that causes dry mouth, the effect is lessened in electronic cigarettes. As a result, e-cigs are generally thought to cause oral dryness on a level equivalent with nicotine replacement therapies, such as nicotine gum, and to a significantly lesser extent than tobacco cigarettes.
With proper conventional oral care, electronic cigarette users can smile knowing that vaporization is the smart choice.